Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.

[greybeard]

We have a hard blade Stihl Weedeater that lets us get in to cut the canes without getting torn up by the thorns.

Have one here too. They are truly an implement of destruction, and I've cleared some huge thorny, tangled areas of green briar, yaupon, and blackberry vines in short order with it. I use herbicides under fenclines to prevent regrowth, but here at byh, use of them is not widely accepted for some reason. 'Where Greybeard goes, nothing grows'.
My place was also taken from raw forest, and the forest always wants it back.

 

[Mike CHS]

Do you guys have the saw blade attachment? I bought the accessory when I bought my Stihl but haven't used it.

 

[greybeard]

Do you guys have the saw blade attachment? I bought the accessory when I bought my Stihl but haven't used it.

Yes, I use the saw blade. This is my preference, as it is easily resharpened.
http://www.forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/1595/100_1156.JPG

I do not like these because they are prone to vibration and don't work as well on heavy brush and small saplings.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5FAAAOSwMKpUZNKj/s-l300.jpg

For those who are wondering, this is what comes in the kit to change from string trimmer to brush cutter:

Takes about 5 minutes to change from string head to brush head. There is a little shoulder the blade has to fit on..make sure the blade sits down flat on the shoulder/arbor.

Check with your Stihl dealer to make sure your powerhead is big enough to run a brush blade. Not all are. I generally keep all guards in place when using mine, tho I sometimes remove the lower part of the guard that has the metal piece that cuts the string. It just pops out by depressing a plastic tang.*
Nut needs to be tightened firmly but not over tightened. Left threads. Don't forget to grease the gearbox..it takes more beating with the brush blade than normal string cutting.
The following slideshow shows how to instal the knife blade but the saw blade goes on the same way. They show doing it with the unit held upside down, but I've done it so often, I just do mine with the unit sitting on the tailgate of my truck in normal position.
http://www.stihl.com/metal-cutting-attachment-brush-knife-250-mm.aspx

I recommend wearing steel toe or sturdy leather boots when using brush blades.
*Mine is an older unit, and here's what I do to acheive lower cutting. The newer units, the guard is a one piece unit--I can't recommend removing the entire guard:

 

[Bruce]

My guard is similar to that. It has a plastic string cutter though. The 2017 model has a metal cutter which makes a lot more sense. I've not yet bought the circular saw blade but have used the 3 point knife blade on thick weeds. Easy to sharpen as well. Definitely don't want to run it full out or it will vibrate as @greybeard noted. I did make sure I bought a large enough unit to run the saw blades and purchased the cultivator as well.

 

[Mike CHS]

We have the cultivator and love using it in our boxed in beds.

 

[Latestarter]

Well, supposed to be 91 tomorrow, then high of 69 on Sunday with "a chance of rain" between there... That large a difference to me indicates a rather major front passing through which I always associate with rain and T-storms... Sure could use the rain.

 

[Alaskan]

I sure would love that heat!

 

[CntryBoy777]

I'm right there with ya on the rain....suppose to get some tonite....I'm really hoping we do, I got the area inside the fence sown today with ryegrass. After the rain, I have 10lbs of winter peas to throw around also. It is suppose to get down to 44° monday nite/tuesday morning here.

 

[Bruce]

Downright cold @CntryBoy777 !!

 

[CntryBoy777]

It sure will be, but I welcome it....cause that'll mean the skeeters and wasps will be Exiting the picture shortly and I will be able to get some things done on the clean-up list. I don't have fencing to deal with, so I will be able to spend some time getting things in shape around here....so Expansion can get underway.....gotta get ready for a few more animals....